We're The Ones Who Live | The Walking Dead (2)

Part 35 - The Commonwealth

30 DAYS LATER

Tha past thirty days had been different, to say the least. With the decision to bring many Alexandrians to the Commonwealth, life had completely changed for CJ and her family.

The Commonwealth was a huge town, pretty much an entire city in Washington walled off from the rest of the world. There were thousands of residents, most of whom had been living there from the start of the fall. There were shops, markets, newspapers, factories, a government. It was a slice of what the world was before the turn, and that was both incredible, and dangerous.

Everyone had jobs at the Commonwealth, and the people of Alexandria were all hired for different jobs depending on what they did before the world ended. On arrival to the Commonwealth a month ago, they were all put through hours of interviews and questions top determine what they'd be able to help out with in the city.

CJ was given a job as a personal trainer after telling the Commonwealth that she worked in a gym before. It was a pretty decent job that allowed her to pay the rent on the small apartment she lived in with Daryl, RJ, Judith and Dog. It also meant she got to meet a lot of the residents of the city and get to know a little more about the place without seeming pushy or suspicious.

Though she hadn't exactly lied during her questioning, she left a lot of parts out. For example, she didn't mention her role as leader in Alexandria. She didn't want to tell them anything that might make her stand out. She needed to make sure she was in the background, invisible to the people higher up.

By bringing her family into this place, she felt she needed to take some responsibility to explore and learn as much as she could about the Commonwealth without drawing a bunch of attention to herself. She needed to know she and the people she loved were in a safe place.

So far, everything seemed (for the most part) safe. The Commonwealth was celebrating Halloween right now, and a carnival was set up with all kinds of market stalls, fairground games, a haunted maze, and even a petting zoo, which Ezekiel worked for.

Whether she trusted the place or not, CJ had to admit that it was incredible. Celebrating holidays, having a job and earning money for her family, living in a town where she could get fresh food, takeout, she could go shopping if she wanted. It was a truly remarkable place, based on what she had seen so far.

"Auntie CJ!"

The redhead spun around to the sound of her nephew calling out to her, and smiled when she spotted him running through the light crowds of people and families browsing the market. Daryl and Judith were following RJ, Judith jogging to keep up whilst Daryl walked. Judith was dressed in a witch's costume, enjoying her first Halloween.

CJ grinned as she crouched down, and RJ ran into her arms.

"Hey, buddy," she laughed. "What you been up to?"

"Uncle Daryl took us into the haunted maze," RJ replied.

"Wow, that's awesome, baby," CJ smiled. "Were you brave?"

"Yes," RJ grinned proudly.

"He was really brave," Judith spoke up. "So was I."

"Well, if you two were really brave, who was the most scared?" CJ teased.

Judith and RJ both slowly turned to look up at Daryl, who narrowed his eyes at them both.

"Weren't scared," he mumbled.

"You were a little bit," Judith giggled, and Daryl lightly nudged her.

CJ stood up straight and smirked at Daryl, not saying a word. He gave her a playful glare and pointed at her. "You, shut up."